10/4/11 In Loving Memory

This beautiful drawing was lovingly made by Nikoline, a pop up birthday card to my oldest.

Our friends in Costa Rica have suffered an unimaginable loss. On Thursday, September 29, one of their beautiful young daughters, Nikoline, died in a tragic accident.

Nikoline loved her family and the life they shared. She loved her horses and goats and each one of the jardinera hens and roosters and the countless chicks which were named upon hatching. Nikoline grew up pushing the family dog around in a doll stroller and cleverly figuring ways for him to haul sticks for the cook fire. She delighted in tea parties with her sisters and dressing her little brothers for after supper theatrical productions. She savored every moment she had with her grandparents learning new tricks in the kitchen, trying new artistic techniques, playing cards and taking long walks through the cloudy hills. Nikoline was just a girl, but even at her tender age, her being was defined, her path clear.

Nikoline was an artist. While she dabbled in dance and song, her gift was in the creation of beautiful images and stories. It is a loss shared by the whole world that she was not able to spend decades producing drawings and paintings, imagining clever narratives. Even at her tender age, Nikoline had a distinct artistic style. Her countless drawings and paintings told the story of her beautiful life. Vivid colors and confident lines captured horses and chickens and tree lined hillsides filled with flowers and songbirds. Nikoline loved life and she brought joy with her where ever she went.

All of her treasures have been packed in boxes. Little china tea sets and figurines, hair clips and necklaces, birthday cards and family photographs, school books and sheet music, fancy dresses and favorite jeans, everything packed and ready to join her family again, where ever that may be. Soon, sorrow will drain and the pure essence of joy that always radiated from Nikoline will fill the hollows of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. That beauty will make us all stand taller and more courageous, never forgetting to live each day to the fullest and each action we make, with great care.

10/27/11 Nikoline 1998-2011

The following is the eulogy written for Nikoline, from her father.

On Thursday, September 29, 2011, Nikoline Hill was tragically killed in a horse riding accident. The family was seeking refuge when they were crossing a river which swept away the horse carrying Nikoline.

Nikoline's family moved to Costa Rica in 2000 seeking a safe refuge at that time to raise their family in peace, safety and harmony with their environment. We found that sanctuary here in Barbacoas, Puriscal, where we were met with wonderful friends and neighbors and a safe haven to raise our children in the ways of proper service to God, man and our environment.

Nikoline was 2 years old when we brought her and her two sisters into Barbacoas. Although we were peculiar and different even from other foreigners, the people of Barbacoas and Puriscal adopted us into their hearts and accepted us despite our differences.Our family had found a home in the minds and hearts of our new community. Our family soon fell in love with our new life and people. As our family grew up, we felt safe and secure knowing our friends accepted our differences and protected us from violent minds.

The people of Barbacoas provided an environment where our family thrived and grew. In our new freedom, our ideas and ideals were safe and allowed us to mature into who we are today. In 2000, Nikoline was too young to remember any life before we moved to Barbacoas. Barbacoas became her only home and the people of Barbacoas became her life and family. As we watched Nikoline and her siblings grow up, it was clear to us that choosing Barbacoas as a safe haven to raise our children was a good decision.

Nikoline's smile and happiness encouraged people to see the good in everything. Nikoline grew, learned to speak three languages, ride horses, work and live in harmony with her surrounding people and environment. Nikoline and her sisters, Linnea and Camilla, learned to be productive contributors to their community by providing for themselves through honest, productive work. Our family provided baked products, cakes, cookies and bread. Nikoline and her sisters learned to milk cows, goats, make cheese, raise chickens and look after many animals including their beloved horses which we used instead of owning a car. Their environment established solid work ethics and Nikoline and her siblings became brilliant in the discipline of problem solving, diligence, respect of others as well as understanding the logic and reason behind God's laws.

With her principles firmly rooted in an environment without violence and terror, Nikoline's world was blooming into a garden of Eden. Nikoline excelled in horse back riding and "bare back" jumping with her beloved horses. Nikoline spoke to all her animals and they spoke to her. Nikoline loved her chickens, goats, cats and dogs and they loved her and miss her as much as we do.

In the fresh air of freedom, Nikoline became skilled in the arts of painting, literature and languages. With the help of her professors, Nikoline learned ballet and modern dance.Under the discipline and love of her music professor, Nikoline became a stellar singer in choir and musician.

Nikoline's ability to grow and bloom in this environment free of violence and malice was forming Nikoline into a self sufficiant adult prepared to lead, solve problems and live in the ways of Lawful service.

Nikoline's happiness was never interrupted even when our family was under duress. Her envionment in Barbacoas cultivated a young lady who was full of courage and valor. In days of difficulty, Nikoline provided strength and stability to our family. Her discipline for work and chores was steadfast and never with question or complaint. Nikoline loved to serve people and the health of her environment.

I now wish to thank God for sending us this angel to love us and teach us how to serve Him.

11/5/11 For Nikoline, From Her Mother

My Dear Bub,

My wonderful angel,

You graced us with your presence, you enriched our lives for 13 years, from the day you were born, and now forever in our hearts. You quietly made everybody around you happy, and nobody could help being affected by your lovely spirit.

You filled every spare moment with creativity, be it painting or inventing dialogues between your horses with a multitude of accents and personalities or even designing clothes for your huge flock of toy animals. You loved reading so much and when you'd go missing I'd often find you in bed with a good book.

Your love for your animals was imense. From all the horses and your goats to even the smallest and ugliest little chicken. The uglier the better. When one of your chickens would get eaten, your sorrow was profound and we never did manage to get rid of any of your "favourite" 20 roosters.

You were such a good friend to your sister, Linnea, with whom you shared work and play. I know that she misses you so much, so please provide her strength to go on without you. And help your other siblings and your father and myself become whole again, because losing you has made us feel broken.

My little angel, you were beautiful in every way. Your life was so full and everyone loved you. You brought me so much happiness. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy, and you were. Maybe your days in this dimension with us were not cut short to take you away from us but to keep you with us, forever perfect.

11/19/11 A Letter of Appreciation

I had not expected to return to Costa Rica so soon. I am grateful that for as impossible as it seemed to jump on a plane with my girls and be with our best friends, that we were able to. My only regret, one I share with my husband, is that it was, in fact, impossible for him to be with us. You see, our family has shared an incredible journey over the last seven years with James and Birgitte and their outstanding kids. Our friendship and experiences together are beyond words.

At the memorial service for Nikoline, we were overwhelmed by a sea of familiar, loving faces. The community came together to grieve, to heal, to support the family who needed it most. Unfortunately, Nikoline's mother, father, sisters and brothers were unable to shed their defenses and let their bodies drink love and healing from the friends and family who had gathered to hold them. Even in the most intimate of circumstances, the threat of continued harm was lurking in the shadows with the uninvited. The potential that the government officials could potentially issue another lawless order could not be ignored.

What I realize, from hundreds of miles away, is that the memorial is not over. The closure is not complete. I hope that everyone reading this will understand that our friends still need that strong, healing support. They still need all of us standing beside them, holding them up. This is no time for should or ought to. This is only the time for love and solidarity. If we all stay strong and recognize that law trumps opinion then our friends, the victims of this injustice, will have a more solid bridge to cross.

Here is a letter of appreciation from Nikoline's father

To the readers of this blog, I would like at this time to offer a word of appreciation to our friends and supporters during our most difficult times. We would like to thank the following people:

Connie and Dick for courageously witnessing, providing shelter and delivering documents in the times we needed those things most, as well as taking the great care to keep Nikoline's pictures fresh in everyone's minds.

Fred and Mary for witnessing and dealing with confrontations with government and PANI officials, as well as keeping our cats and dogs fed and an eye on our house.

Sorayda, Luis Diego and their family, Lise Schafer, Gloriela and Daniel for looking after our dogs, cats and house in our hastened absence.

Gustavo Rojas for his nexus with the courts.

Rick for his information connections and bridging of financial issues.

Witnesses and supporters; Tu Anh , Athena and Eduardo for their delivering of documents and witnessing.

Lise and Asger for their continuous offer of safe housing and Lise's special trip to CR to assist where she could.

Don Carlos for his discipline and care in music classes and choir. Our family loved the presentations and practice. I considered these music classes and Don Carlos' ideals as an intergal part of our home schooling. My girls adored Don Carlos and he encouraged my girls to prepare and be at their best.

Patricia and Roberto for opening their house for us during our worst time after Nikoline's death, that the family may congregate and grieve in security and privacy. I wish to offer Pat and Bob further thanks for establishing a safe house to make plans, preparations and not be worried about lesser matters as they provided food, shelter and unlimited transportation and support.

Uncle John for watching over the children and financial support. Next time we stay up till 5:00 am John, I do hope it is under better occasion. You will always be a hero to me and my family.

Auntie Laurie, for her no nonsense approach to getting things done at any cost. Laurie is one of the few people I know of in life who has seen it all and from her experiences is the least judgmental and most pragmatic individual in my camp. That clarity and unbiased nature is refreshing and productive and kept us rolling.

Lisbeth and Svend Erik for securing my affairs in trust for my daughters and providing them a nurturing environment when I must be allowed to focus on the security of my wife and boys. All of my girls are safe with them and that provides Birgitte and myself great relief and ability to concentrate on that which matters most.

Elizabeth, Steven, and Brenda, Abel and their families for their warm support and use of their vehicle while my family was in need. Elizabeth has offered ongoing assistance involving our horses and other matters. I wish to also make a special thank you to Steven for his fabulous work with our drama group. These presentations gave the children excellent public speaking skills and expressive abilities. One of my most valued memories of Nikoline is of the Scare Crow in their brilliant presentation , 'The Wizard of Oz." When I remember our Scarecrow, I will think of Steven.

My Mom and Dad (I know he is still with me,) for their unquestioning support , stable influence and as usual, financial assistance. They never questioned, they only gave, unconditionally. If I could only give back a fraction, but alas this is what Dad privately wished me to do. Never, ever cave in to bullies when so few could see them as clearly as I could. Giving in to lawless people for personal relief only makes life worse for the next generation.

Michael, Maiken, and Chris and Luisa for opening their doors to us and sheltering us in safety, privacy and security for the time needed to plan our next moves. They offered counsel, but mainly offered the chance for us to grieve our loss in privacy whilst renewing our ordnance in response to those who have so recklessly abandoned the Law.

Tulio and Amparo for their love and generosity over the years. They opened their house to us and to all our friends to meet and hold a funeral service for Nikoline. Nikoline was well honored and Tulio and Amparo's house was the perfect setting. They are the 'heart ' of Barbacoas.

Juan and Zeidy and Eliezer for their absolute support and help in dealing with authorities during the first few days after Nikoline's death. Eliezer spoke with people in Puriscal and their generosity was astounding. Juan and Zeidy were our first friends in Barbacoas and our children grew up together and we had many fiestas together. We will always have them with us.

To all of our friends and neighbors in Barbacoas and Puriscal. Our clients, taxis, pirates, street people and others who have given our life meaning and value for the past 11 years. Our children felt complete as part of the real people in society when we sold our cakes, cookies and bread, or simply riding through town in our micro family 'cavalgatta'. We will never forget you, the real people. The workers and producers, not those with letters of self importance after their names.

And I would like to extend a very special thank you. A level of appreciation rarely earned. I know that Alison will find it difficult to post this on her own blog, however she has always given me full final authority on the content and spirit of the messages. That being the case, I am exercising that privilege at this time, above her comfort. The reason is clear. For what I am about to say is true and factual just as everything else I have presented in this blog.

Let me tell you of two people who have earned the truest badges of my highest honor. Alison and Miguel's undying support has walked us through the thick and thin of our life here in CR. They serve as my closest counsel and most powerful aids d'camp. Alison's artistic genius blog puts thousands of my words into ironic clarity with her illustrations. Miguel's research , translations and ideas have proven effective ordnance in exposing that which the 'public servants' wish to remain unknown. Alison and Miguel are my right and left arms in the triumph of truth and justice. The courts may believe they have control through the repository of the collective's force. I submit that courage will outweigh the court's usurped power and with people like Alison and Miguel in our camp, we shall illustrate that the application of truth is superior and shall prevail over licentiousness, cowardice and naked force. Alison and Miguel shall always have a special seat in my inner chamber even when I am busy putting out other fires.

In closing, I wish to make an observation regarding the above mentioned people (which involves hundreds.) Not all, in fact few of these people share my geopolitical beliefs. That in itself is the great hope that keeps me believing that good wins over evil. These above mentioned people set their ideals aside to help a family in need. Thats means that they all recognize and are in favor of a great simple truth and most unalienable right. The right to one's own life. Everyone recognizes the simplicity of personal choice when those choices do not harm others. Everybody has the inalienable right to one's self and that which one creates. This action of creation includes that which we create with our own genes with our mutual partner to create another in our likeness (children.) I see in all of these people's unbiased generosity the simple recognition that we have the highest claim to that which we create, so long as our creation does not harm others or be involved in mischief. We do not force, or even suggest that others live as we do because that may nullify their choices. These above people recognize through the blur and haziness of what is construed as 'law,' the real truth and that gives me the most light to focus upon.

To those above mentioned people:

I remain in your service when and where any of you believe you are in need of my arcane and unusual work.

Humbly yours,

James